It still hung around my neck day after day after day. And soon the days turned into weeks and months, even after the contest was long forgotten. It was a custom printed tag for participating in a five kilometer run, a piece of dented metal that would probably fetch a person a few bucks at a junk store, but it felt like more than some worthless piece of metal.I cleaned it, polished it, and scraped off the rust, and cleaned it and polished it until it was clean enough to eat off of. I wore it every day, everywhere, and it shined with a dull brilliance that only I could see.
It was as if I had accomplished something, that I could claim to have done something in my life that no one else could claim, aside from the small group of people who ran with me. I felt as if that tag symbolized an accomplishment that only a few of my friends and neighbors could ever share.
Camera Memoir
It's an unassuming structure, a mass of old concrete, steel and brick, a worthless lump of rock covered with the graffiti of others, torn from its place in a rigid hierarchy, and left in another to crumble until it turns into its unassuming dust pile.
Yet it still carries a purpose, a use, unseen yet significant,
present to show, yet far away in a different realm,
the greatest gift of all, yet no better than what it is: a wall.
It caused great pain, but also great joy,
It tore apart families, and saved them from Stalin's wrath,
it is a prison to some, a protective barrier to others.
But it's still just a wall.
Honesty draft
Honesty is an important quality, one that is valued by people in the work force, schools, and family. It can help in trivial cases such as returning a credit card or as drastic as confessing in a trial. Whether it is an important matter, or just an everyday problem, honesty is an important trait.
For example, let's say you found a wallet in the middle of the street. Nobody nearby claims it and it has a phone number.Maybe you could give the wallet back, or maybe you could keep it. The consequences of taking the wallet aren't that widespread, but its probably a good guess that you would be guilt-stricken, or possibly fear having the money on you.What if a security camera recorded it? what if they convict me? what if...
Obviously, your chances of being caught are not very high, but the result of turning in the wallet are much better than a long guilt trip.
Revision
"What if a security camera recorded it? what if they convict me? what if...", would you rather be the one asking questions like this, hoping you wouldn't get caught for stealing a candy bar, or taking a wallet or something similar?Why would any person want to go through so much doubt over an issue? whether you feel like you're in a life-or-death situation or an everyday matter, it is best to be honest in any situation, no matter how complicated or frightening the result.Honesty can help to strengthen bonds between people, whether it be co-workers, or family members. People who can be trusted are often hired for high-paying jobs and are more likely to earn respect from others, and are more likely to have better relationships with family members. Often those who confess to something will be less seriously punished.
But, what if one looked at the other side of the issue? Could it help to tell that one lie about your project, or that dollar bill that fell out of someone's pocket? Often those people in society who lie often are looked down upon, and are unlikely to ever be chosen for any "high risk, high payout" jobs because of their reputation. But recent studies have shown that children who lie have better cognitive skills, since lying can force your brain to go into "overdrive". There are also several parts of life that are built off of lying. Lawyers often have to lie about certain things in cases in order to preserve their client's innocence, although in some cases this can be illegal. Several games, such as poker, are even built to reward deception through bluffs and double-bluffs.
Revision 2
"What if the security cameras saw it? what if I get arrested? what if I...". Would you like to be the one to ask yourself questions like this, hoping you don't get caught for stealing candy or taking money someone dropped? Do you want to ask yourself over and over whether you did the right thing? Whether you are trapped in a life or death situation or an everyday problem, it is best to be honest when faced with a problem, no matter how complicated or frightening the result. Being honest can help to strengthen bonds between people, and people who can be trusted are often hired for high-paying jobs, are more likely to earn respect from others, and are more likely to have better relationships with family members. In cases where one is trying to defend themselves, often those who confess to crimes or problems, are less severely punished, while those who try to hide proof or lie are often severely punished.
But, what if one looked at the other side of the issue? Could it help to tell that one lie about your project, or that dollar bill that fell out of someone's pocket? Often those people in society who lie often are looked down upon, and are unlikely to ever be chosen for any "high risk, high payout" jobs because of their reputation. But recent studies have shown that children who lie have better cognitive skills, since lying can force your brain to go into "overdrive", because of the anxiety created by lying and the brain's suppression of telltale signs.. There are also several parts of life that are built off of lying. Lawyers often have to lie about certain things in cases in order to preserve their client's innocence, although in some cases this can be illegal, and police often lie about facts to gain certain information from potential suspects and victims. Several games, such as poker, are even built to reward deception through bluffs and double-bluffs.There are also situations where it might not be right, morally, to tell the truth. Take, for example, trying to explain something like war, or the death of a family member, to a child. It may not be the best Idea to directly state it to the child, but instead to state it indirectly or at a later time.
So, to sum up the entirety of this essay, being honest is an admirable trait. It helps to be honest, especially in tough situations where you and others may be at risk for something bad to happen. It can help to forge friendships between people, and strengthen those that already exist, but honesty is not always the best policy, at least in some cases. It might actually be better, in some cases, to lie in order to protect another person from a truth that might hurt him/her emotionally. Being able to lie is also a good skill for certain jobs, such as being a lawyer or detective, or playing in certain games, as mentioned above.
Final Cut
"What if the security cameras saw it? What if I get arrested? What if I...” Would you like to be the one to ask yourself questions like this, hoping you don't get caught for stealing candy or taking money someone dropped? Do you want to ask yourself over and over whether you did the right thing? Whether you are trapped in a life or death situation or an everyday problem, it is best to be honest when faced with a problem, no matter how complicated or frightening the result. Being honest can help to strengthen bonds between people, and people who can be trusted are often hired for high-paying jobs, are more likely to earn respect from others, and are more likely to have better relationships with family members. In cases where one is trying to defend themselves, often those who confess to crimes or problems are less severely punished, while those who try to hide proof or lie are often severely punished. Take, for example, the famous Sherlock Holmes stories. In "The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor" Lord St. Simon believes his wife to have been kidnapped after she disappears shortly after their wedding. The investigators, particularly Lestrade, entertain several theories, including that she was murdered by a jealous woman and dumped in a lake. Only after Sherlock finds the woman and has her explain the incident to Lord St. Simon is everyone reassured.
But, what if one looked at the other side of the issue? Could it help to tell that one lie about your project, or that dollar bill that fell out of someone's pocket? Often those people in society who lie often are looked down upon, and are unlikely to ever be chosen for any "high risk, high payout" jobs because of their reputation. But recent studies have shown that children who lie have better cognitive skills, since lying can force your brain to go into "overdrive", because of the anxiety created by lying and the brain's suppression of telltale signs. There are also several parts of life that are built off of lying. Lawyers often have to lie about certain things in cases in order to preserve their client's innocence, although in some cases this can be illegal, and police often lie about facts to gain certain information from potential suspects and victims. Several games, such as poker, are even built to reward deception through bluffs and double-bluffs. There are also situations where it might not be right, morally, to tell the truth. Take, for example, trying to explain something like war, or the death of a family member, to a child. It may not be the best Idea to directly state it to the child, but instead to state it indirectly or at a later time.I remember one such time in my life where I received an antique watch from my grandmother. I wanted to wear it everywhere I went, but my parents said I couldn't, that it seemed too much like I was showing off. They didn't want to tell me that our neighbors, who lived just one block away, had their house robbed during vacation, because they didn't want to scare me into thinking we lived in an unsafe place. Instead I was told later, when I wasn't so easily scared.
Being honest is an admirable trait. It helps to be honest, especially in tough situations where you and others may be at risk for something bad to happen. It can help to forge friendships between people, and strengthen those that already exist, but honesty is not always the best policy, at least in some cases. It might actually be better to lie in order to protect another person from a truth that might hurt him/her emotionally. Being able to lie is also a good skill for certain jobs, such as being a lawyer or detective, or playing in certain games, as mentioned above.
Six Room Story
It's an array of steel scraps all parallel to each other,
like two wooden palates attached to one another,
They look like they're rubbed in motor oil,
but they're not rusty in any way at all,
A light shines on the bottom of it from above,
illuminating the piece like a hidden alcove,
the birds sit on it and begin their chirping,
and I begin to wonder: what was this artist thinking?!?
Six Word Memoir
Rusty nails still hold houses togetherRambling Autobiography
It still hung around my neck day after day after day. And soon the days turned into weeks and months, even after the contest was long forgotten. It was a custom printed tag for participating in a five kilometer run, a piece of dented metal that would probably fetch a person a few bucks at a junk store, but it felt like more than some worthless piece of metal.I cleaned it, polished it, and scraped off the rust, and cleaned it and polished it until it was clean enough to eat off of. I wore it every day, everywhere, and it shined with a dull brilliance that only I could see.It was as if I had accomplished something, that I could claim to have done something in my life that no one else could claim, aside from the small group of people who ran with me. I felt as if that tag symbolized an accomplishment that only a few of my friends and neighbors could ever share.
Camera Memoir
It's an unassuming structure, a mass of old concrete, steel and brick, a worthless lump of rock covered with the graffiti of others, torn from its place in a rigid hierarchy, and left in another to crumble until it turns into its unassuming dust pile.Yet it still carries a purpose, a use, unseen yet significant,
present to show, yet far away in a different realm,
the greatest gift of all, yet no better than what it is: a wall.
It caused great pain, but also great joy,
It tore apart families, and saved them from Stalin's wrath,
it is a prison to some, a protective barrier to others.
But it's still just a wall.
Honesty draft
Honesty is an important quality, one that is valued by people in the work force, schools, and family. It can help in trivial cases such as returning a credit card or as drastic as confessing in a trial. Whether it is an important matter, or just an everyday problem, honesty is an important trait.For example, let's say you found a wallet in the middle of the street. Nobody nearby claims it and it has a phone number.Maybe you could give the wallet back, or maybe you could keep it. The consequences of taking the wallet aren't that widespread, but its probably a good guess that you would be guilt-stricken, or possibly fear having the money on you.What if a security camera recorded it? what if they convict me? what if...
Obviously, your chances of being caught are not very high, but the result of turning in the wallet are much better than a long guilt trip.
Revision
"What if a security camera recorded it? what if they convict me? what if...", would you rather be the one asking questions like this, hoping you wouldn't get caught for stealing a candy bar, or taking a wallet or something similar?Why would any person want to go through so much doubt over an issue? whether you feel like you're in a life-or-death situation or an everyday matter, it is best to be honest in any situation, no matter how complicated or frightening the result.Honesty can help to strengthen bonds between people, whether it be co-workers, or family members. People who can be trusted are often hired for high-paying jobs and are more likely to earn respect from others, and are more likely to have better relationships with family members. Often those who confess to something will be less seriously punished.But, what if one looked at the other side of the issue? Could it help to tell that one lie about your project, or that dollar bill that fell out of someone's pocket? Often those people in society who lie often are looked down upon, and are unlikely to ever be chosen for any "high risk, high payout" jobs because of their reputation. But recent studies have shown that children who lie have better cognitive skills, since lying can force your brain to go into "overdrive". There are also several parts of life that are built off of lying. Lawyers often have to lie about certain things in cases in order to preserve their client's innocence, although in some cases this can be illegal. Several games, such as poker, are even built to reward deception through bluffs and double-bluffs.
Revision 2
"What if the security cameras saw it? what if I get arrested? what if I...". Would you like to be the one to ask yourself questions like this, hoping you don't get caught for stealing candy or taking money someone dropped? Do you want to ask yourself over and over whether you did the right thing? Whether you are trapped in a life or death situation or an everyday problem, it is best to be honest when faced with a problem, no matter how complicated or frightening the result. Being honest can help to strengthen bonds between people, and people who can be trusted are often hired for high-paying jobs, are more likely to earn respect from others, and are more likely to have better relationships with family members. In cases where one is trying to defend themselves, often those who confess to crimes or problems, are less severely punished, while those who try to hide proof or lie are often severely punished.But, what if one looked at the other side of the issue? Could it help to tell that one lie about your project, or that dollar bill that fell out of someone's pocket? Often those people in society who lie often are looked down upon, and are unlikely to ever be chosen for any "high risk, high payout" jobs because of their reputation. But recent studies have shown that children who lie have better cognitive skills, since lying can force your brain to go into "overdrive", because of the anxiety created by lying and the brain's suppression of telltale signs.. There are also several parts of life that are built off of lying. Lawyers often have to lie about certain things in cases in order to preserve their client's innocence, although in some cases this can be illegal, and police often lie about facts to gain certain information from potential suspects and victims. Several games, such as poker, are even built to reward deception through bluffs and double-bluffs.There are also situations where it might not be right, morally, to tell the truth. Take, for example, trying to explain something like war, or the death of a family member, to a child. It may not be the best Idea to directly state it to the child, but instead to state it indirectly or at a later time.
So, to sum up the entirety of this essay, being honest is an admirable trait. It helps to be honest, especially in tough situations where you and others may be at risk for something bad to happen. It can help to forge friendships between people, and strengthen those that already exist, but honesty is not always the best policy, at least in some cases. It might actually be better, in some cases, to lie in order to protect another person from a truth that might hurt him/her emotionally. Being able to lie is also a good skill for certain jobs, such as being a lawyer or detective, or playing in certain games, as mentioned above.
Final Cut
"What if the security cameras saw it? What if I get arrested? What if I...” Would you like to be the one to ask yourself questions like this, hoping you don't get caught for stealing candy or taking money someone dropped? Do you want to ask yourself over and over whether you did the right thing? Whether you are trapped in a life or death situation or an everyday problem, it is best to be honest when faced with a problem, no matter how complicated or frightening the result. Being honest can help to strengthen bonds between people, and people who can be trusted are often hired for high-paying jobs, are more likely to earn respect from others, and are more likely to have better relationships with family members. In cases where one is trying to defend themselves, often those who confess to crimes or problems are less severely punished, while those who try to hide proof or lie are often severely punished. Take, for example, the famous Sherlock Holmes stories. In "The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor" Lord St. Simon believes his wife to have been kidnapped after she disappears shortly after their wedding. The investigators, particularly Lestrade, entertain several theories, including that she was murdered by a jealous woman and dumped in a lake. Only after Sherlock finds the woman and has her explain the incident to Lord St. Simon is everyone reassured.But, what if one looked at the other side of the issue? Could it help to tell that one lie about your project, or that dollar bill that fell out of someone's pocket? Often those people in society who lie often are looked down upon, and are unlikely to ever be chosen for any "high risk, high payout" jobs because of their reputation. But recent studies have shown that children who lie have better cognitive skills, since lying can force your brain to go into "overdrive", because of the anxiety created by lying and the brain's suppression of telltale signs. There are also several parts of life that are built off of lying. Lawyers often have to lie about certain things in cases in order to preserve their client's innocence, although in some cases this can be illegal, and police often lie about facts to gain certain information from potential suspects and victims. Several games, such as poker, are even built to reward deception through bluffs and double-bluffs. There are also situations where it might not be right, morally, to tell the truth. Take, for example, trying to explain something like war, or the death of a family member, to a child. It may not be the best Idea to directly state it to the child, but instead to state it indirectly or at a later time.I remember one such time in my life where I received an antique watch from my grandmother. I wanted to wear it everywhere I went, but my parents said I couldn't, that it seemed too much like I was showing off. They didn't want to tell me that our neighbors, who lived just one block away, had their house robbed during vacation, because they didn't want to scare me into thinking we lived in an unsafe place. Instead I was told later, when I wasn't so easily scared.
Being honest is an admirable trait. It helps to be honest, especially in tough situations where you and others may be at risk for something bad to happen. It can help to forge friendships between people, and strengthen those that already exist, but honesty is not always the best policy, at least in some cases. It might actually be better to lie in order to protect another person from a truth that might hurt him/her emotionally. Being able to lie is also a good skill for certain jobs, such as being a lawyer or detective, or playing in certain games, as mentioned above.
Six Room Story
It's an array of steel scraps all parallel to each other,like two wooden palates attached to one another,
They look like they're rubbed in motor oil,
but they're not rusty in any way at all,
A light shines on the bottom of it from above,
illuminating the piece like a hidden alcove,
the birds sit on it and begin their chirping,
and I begin to wonder: what was this artist thinking?!?